China Southern flies to New York

China Southern Airlines has launched direct flights from Guangzhou to New York.

The new trans-Pacific route spans 13,500km, making it the longest non-stop air route from mainland China. It also becomes the first direct service between southern mainland China and the east coast of the United States.

Flights commenced on 6 August and will now operate four times a week, departing Guangzhou’s Baiyun International Airport every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 0140 and arriving at New York’s JFK Airport at 0515. The return service will then depart JFK at 1115, getting back into Guangzhou at 1515 the next day.

The route will be operated using China Southern’s brand new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, configured with 309 seats in four classes, including four in first class, 34 in business class, 44 in premium economy and 227 in economy.

New York becomes China Southern’s third destination in North America, following Vancouver and Los Angeles, which it serves using its Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A380 aircraft respectively.

The launch of New York service comes amid the celebrations of the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the US this year.